Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

The Bad “F” Word: Flats

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Years ago, I subscribed to the following belief:

“Any shoe that doesn’t have a 4-inch heel is called a sneaker.”

Obnoxious, wasn’t I? Yeah, I was that 20-year old who teetered to work in stiletto heels, never stumbling or wavering. And after 8 hours at the office, I’d party it up at the club in a different pair of cute stilettos. Did I feel pain? Meh, I don’t remember. It was all about the shoes.

Well, I’ve since learned another saying. And it includes something about eating my words. Because the truth is, after five years, two kids and a work-at-home job (where I’m literally barefoot for 23 out of 24 hours each day), I’ve developed an aversion to anything that doesn’t feel completely, absolutely, persistently comfy. Reality: sneakers are my preferred mode of fashion these days.

So, rather than deny my need for comfort, I’ve decided to embrace it; setting aside my heels for special occasions and rocking flats whenever socially acceptable.

Which brings about another problem. It’s called #ShoeShame.

Shoe shame is a feeling most fashionistas have when they enter a room and are immediately confronted by a sea of stilettos – while they stare down at their frumpy, chunky flats. To experience shoe shame, one must be a) a former heels wearer, b) incredibly vain, or c) a combination of the two. Guilty.

Of course, there is a remedy to shoe shame. And that is to buy a few pairs of FUFs – also known as F-U Flats. FUFs are generally designer shoes that are sleek, sophisticated and convey a very strong message: “I didn’t feel like wearing heels today so F-U, I decided to throw on my (insert frivolous designer here) flats that probably cost more than your monthly car payment.”

I know, it’s silly. But there’s a reason why Tory Burch’s Reva flats are $225, no?

Hence, I decided that if I wasn’t going to put out, I might as well ante up. So I bought my own FUFs.

Sleek and sophisticated? Check. Frivolous designer? Check. Monthly car payment? Not nearly as much, but in the ballpark, so check. And the best part? I feel confident, put together, and most importantly, incredibly stylish when I wear them. However, there’s just one small problem…

You see, I have very narrow feet. Triple AAA width, to be precise. So no matter what the style, I always have to wear insoles to fill in my shoes and give me enough support so my foot doesn’t fall out. Until recently, I’d become accustomed to the tacky, gel insoles or the smooshy vinyl ones. Of course, wearing those imparted a different kind of shoe shame, because insoles don’t necessarily feel awesome against bare feet, and I’ve had to endure peeling my feet from my shoes when visiting friends and family. Très gross.

Enter my new favourite remedy: Dr. Scholl’s For Her Sole Expressions.

First, the insoles come in a 3-pack for just $16.99, so I have more than enough to go around and fit every shoe from sandal to stiletto. Second, the insoles come with a tapered front and a notch to fit even thong sandals, so there’s no toe-crowding and comfort can be achieved regardless of the shoe style.

However, the very best thing about the Sole Expressions insole? They’re made with a soft foam that not only looks great (fashionable top cloth patterns – hello!), but they feel great too – especially against bare feet! So, if you’ve got a pair of shoes that you love to wear sans leggings, this is the insole for you.

The Dr. Scholl’s For Her Sole Expressions insoles will be available at all major retailers of Dr. Scholl’s products beginning in mid-October. Trust me, you’ll want to pop a couple of these in every shoe – and here’s some incentive; an assortment of coupons for their amazing products. In the meantime, connect with Dr. Scholl’s on Facebook, or visit their website.

I am part of the Chatelaine Ambassador Program, and have received special perks in the form of products and monetary compensation. All opinions on this blog are my own.

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Comments

  2. Great shoes. And I have to admit I am a “flat shoe” girl. Love my comfy sneakers. Will keep an eye out for those insoles.

  4. I bypassed most forms of heels as I could never get past the mildest amount of foot pain for vanity. Yes, I am one of those that wear combat boots, sneakers, granny flats with everything. I still love/need comfy insoles – even put a pair in my rain boots lol!

  5. I think back to the shoes I used to wear for 8 hours a day working retail and cringe! There’s no way I would be able to wear them today!

    How can your feet be so narrow? Did they not grow with pregnancy? Oh wait, I’ve seen the size of your ring finger…

    • LOL my feet actually grew length-wise with pregnancy… I used to be a size 7 and now I’m a size 8. But they’re still ridiculously narrow :(

  6. I used to wear heels everywhere, but, in my elderly years (haha) I really only wear flats; I do not own a pair of high heels! Had you told me, when I was 25 that I wouldn’t own a pair of heels in less than 20 years I would have laughed me head off.

  7. Those are cute shoes (and insoles). I have small wide feet, so I always need to buy a 1/2 size up and put those heel grabber things in my flats.

  9. I haven’t worn heels since my third pregnancy, well kitten heels but those don’t really count. Definitely need to grab those comfy insoles! Thanks for letting me know about them.

  10. I love heels, been wearing them since I modeled as a young teen. Now at almost 40, I had to buy a wedge sneaker. Still this summer I wore flats for most of it. Mainly, it was this seasons’ trend. Yes, I’m that shallow.

  11. FUFs, love it! I always learn something new when I visit your site. Those are cute insoles! I like that they look good when you take your shoes off, no shoe shame lol!!!!

  12. now thats a shoe I could wear, the highest heel I do is a birkenstock. if I wore a heel Id look like plastic doll that cant bend their legs lol I’m so cool I even wear socks with my birkenstock but not with shorts lol and my favorite 4 letter “f” word is not flats its FREE! yes I have no shame

    • I love the four letter word FREE too! No shame in that! And I *might* have to pretend you didn’t write that you wear socks with your birkenstocks, LOL!

  13. I to love a good FUF as heels have never been my friends. I definitely will be on the look out for the insoles as they would make my shoes more comfy!

  15. I am guilty of the 20 something heel strut and cringe now when I try squeezing my feet into heels these days. Insoles have become a must. I’ll have to pick up a package for Blissdom.

    • I think insoles have become my best friends. Not just because they make my feet feel better, but they make shoes fit better too.

  16. “Did I feel pain? Meh, I don’t remember.” – dying laughing!!!!

    I’m completely the opposite – I feel like I’ll never be a “real” style/fashion blogger because I value comfort too much to wear heels LOL…I live in flats and strangely enough, I’ve found an inverse relationship between price and comfort – so most of my favorite/most-worn flats are from Old Navy and Forever21.

    Your FUFs are adorable – love the black on black detailing :-)

    • We have to go shopping together – because I want comfy flats from Old Navy and Forever 21! And yeah – it was a hard choice between gold hardware, silver hardware or black-on-black. In the end I wanted it to be understated.

  17. OMG. I love your shoe posts! When I was working in the city, I used to wear heels EVERY day. I was all about the cute shoes, regardless of whether or not they were comfy. I know. Crazy. Now, I’m still for cute and sassy shoes, but comfy is my main concern these days.

    I am embarrassed to say that I tried wearing my cute heels to an event recently, and only lasted 2 hrs in them. So sad :(

    • Hey, two hours is a LONG time when you’ve grown out of wearing heels! Often, when I go to press events, I bring my heels in my purse and change just before making an entrance. So amateur, I know!

    • Awesome! These particular ones will be available mid-October, but they have a great selection of other products!

  19. Wow!! I learned a new word and now have another pair of shoes to add to my wish list! Totally love the black on black. They’re the perfect Fufs because they’re understated and elegant yet totally designer. Good job!

  20. I must check out those insoles because I’m a half size and I can’t always find that available, so I live in insoles. Love the look and most definitely are interested in the feel! I too am tired of the gel insoles that feel like glue against my feet. Thanks for the review :-)

  22. I love flats. Heels are so uncomfortable for me. I feel unbalanced and ungrounded. Sometimes I wish I could wear them …. some on downright gorgeous… but Flats are my thing.

    • I’m becoming more of a flats girl myself. And thank goodness there are so many gorgeous styles to choose from!

  23. LOL Oh how I love this. As someone who has experienced a back injury I too have experience #shoeshame and done the gel inserts to try and combat this! Your pretty inserts in FUF flats are a much better way to go!

  24. I’ve been wearing flats since – forever it seems ! Had to wear them at school (so glad they dropped the oxfords from the uniform and at least allowed loafers) and then running from class to class at university kind of made heels a moot point. I am so glad more shoe manufacturers are making flats fashionable now ! FUF’s – gotta love that acronym – think I will be looking for a few FUF’s that are a bit more reasonably priced than these ones though LOL And LOVE the insoles – I always buy my shoes about a 1/2 size larger so I can put a cushy insole inside, going to check for those fancy prints next time I am buying some :o)

    • Hahaha not *exactly* the same meaning but I’m surprised you can’t find a pair that works for you! We should go shopping together :)

  26. Every summer I get a blister from wearing new sandals. Next year I will be ready with Dr Scholl’s. They have so many products to choose from thanks for the reminder

  27. I love wearing shoes with a comfortable heel – 3″ max. However, since last year I’ve been wearing flats and I’m so used to them now that I only wear heels on special occasions. I love your FUFs and I’m definitely going shopping for Dr. Scholl’s insoles for added comfort. Thanks for the tip Lena.

    • You’re welcome Marissa! I’m so used to wearing flats now as well – it’s hard to get me in heels!

  28. I’m jealous… I used to wear heels all the time and now my shoe story is exactly like yours, except that I didn’t learn to like it. I hate everything I wear these days and I couldn’t get over myself with the aversion to flats no matter how cool they are. And I don’t have time to bother with heels… maybe in a few years, when kids are older I will get back to them…

  29. I’m totally still a heel girl. My partner’s mother is the same way, well into her 50s, and I’m using her as my motivation! Am I the only person who feels that flats hurt my feet worse than heels?

    • Er…. I’ve got nothing. Perhaps your arches are so used to wearing heels that you need the support? Either way, count your blessings, ha!

  30. Great post Lena, as always…funny and right on the mark! Love the shoes :) I don’t think I can even walk in stilettos any longer?! I do remember wearing them all day though and then heading out with the girls.

  32. I need a very high arch support so alot of flats I cant wear because my feet kill. I may have to try these inserts. I have ones made for me but they only fit my running shoes.

  35. I wear flats all the time only because I have to but if I could I would love to wear heels all the time

Trackbacks

  2. […] Lena Almeida from Listen to Lena loved the fun design on the insoles. “They’re made with a soft foam that not only looks great (fashionable top cloth patterns – hello!), but they feel great too – especially against bare feet! So, if you’ve got a pair of shoes that you love to wear sans leggings, this is the insole for you.” Read more from her blog here. […]